Photos: China's Hungry Ghost Festival appeases wandering souls

The gates of hell have opened. Its ghosts have been let loose to roam on earth and visit the homes of their relatives. According to traditional Chinese beliefs this happens every year during the seventh month of the lunar year, resulting in a raucous, feast-and-music filled celebration known as the Hungry Ghost Festival.

China's Hungry Ghost Festival appeases wandering souls

The gates of hell have opened. Its ghosts have been let loose to roam on earth and visit the homes of their relatives.According to traditional Chinese beliefs this happens every year during the seventh month of the lunar year, resulting in a raucous, feast-and-music filled celebration known as the Hungry Ghost Festival. But not all ghosts are good. There are some spirits who wander the streets, ravenous and envious because they died without descendants or were ignored by their kin ...